Nuffnang Top

Friday, March 23, 2012

Krishna, Indian grandmother, 78, is believed to be the world's oldest professional sharpshooter

At 78, most pensioners are reliant on the glasses to even read a newspaper.
But not Indian grandmother Chandro Tomar.

With a £1,200 pistol in hand, and her sari draped over her long silver hair, it’s believed she’s the world’s oldest female professional sharpshooter.

She has entered and won over 25 national championships across India as well as raising six children and 15 grandchildren. She said: ‘I wanted to do something useful with my life and show people my capabilities.

'As soon as I shot my first pistol I was hooked. And now I’ve shown everyone there’s no disadvantages to my age. If you’re focused you can do anything.’

Almost ten years ago Chandro took her granddaughter to a local firing range in Johri village, in Uttar Pradesh, India.

She wanted to learn a new skill but was too shy to go alone.

In the end it was Chandro who was welcomed into the club with open arms.

But her biggest fan is her daughter Seema, who is also an international shooting star becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Rifle and Pistol World Cup.